CMC Profile

The Council was formed in 1963 by five Sydney-based car clubs as a body to represent the interests of the historic and classic vehicle movement.

The Council was originally named The Council of Veteran, Vintage and Thoroughbred Motor Clubs (CVV&TMC). Being a somewhat unwieldy name, many enthusiasts referred to it as "Fred"; less of a mouthful.

In November 2000 the Council became an incorporated body and was re-named The Council of Motor Clubs, Inc. or CMC. The CMC is, in turn, affiliated with the Australian Historic Motoring Federation (AHMF), a national organisation uniting similarly orientated councils from around Australia.

The role of the CMC is a representative one – it represents affiliated clubs and their members with authorities such as the Roads & Maritime Services Authority of NSW with reference to Conditional Historic Registration; the Federal Government on matters such as leaded fuel and its continued availability, and such like.

At no time is the Council a "controlling" body; it may issue guidelines or advice on an issue when requested, but it will never tell an affiliated club what to do.

In 2013, the CMC welcomed its 162nd specialty motoring club as an affiliate – those 162 clubs contain over 22,000 members with diverse interests including trucks, buses, trams, ex-military vehicles, fire engines, motor cycles/scooters and cars, road going and racing, from the veteran, vintage, pre-war, post-war and modern eras.

The CMC stages a number of events each year for the participation of members of affiliated clubs and to enthusiastically showcase our movement to the general public. The National Motoring Heritage Day happens each year; in mid May with as many historic vehicle owners as possible being encouraged to take their vehicle out on the roads for a day's enjoyable motoring and visiting a number of sites along the way.

The Council's premier event of each year is the Shannons Sydney Classic, held on a weekend in August each year. Over 1900 classic club vehicles are on display on the Sunday, with each club involved in parade laps around the track, and Concours judging of some of the best historic and club vehicles in NSW. It is a great family day with music, double-decker bus rides around the track and lots of thogs for the little ones.

The Classic, as it is called has been held at the Sydney Motorsport Park (formerly Eastern Creek International Raceway) for over 20 years.